[ DATA ]License renewal requirements
Registered nurses license renewal by state
How often a RN license renews, when it's due, what it costs and how much CE the board asks for, in 51 US jurisdictions. Of these, 45 every 2 years, 3 every year, 2 every 3 years, 1 on another schedule (for example tied to a birth date or a fixed date range). Every row comes from the board's own published pages, with a source link and the date we checked it.
Checked between October 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026. Boards change fees and rules; confirm with the board before renewing.
| State | Renews | Deadline | Renewal fee | CE | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Alabama Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Single-state RN licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years; multistate RN licenses expire December 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal runs from 8:00 a.m. September 1 to 4:30 p.m. December 31 of the expiration year; an unrenewed license lapses (Rule 610-X-4-.08) | $100 single-state; $200 multistate (Rule 610-X-4-.14) Late: No late renewal: a license not renewed by December 31 lapses and must be reinstated ($250 single-state, $350 multistate) | 24 contact hours of Board-approved or Board-recognized CE each earning period; the first renewal needs 4 hours of Board-provided CE plus 1 hour per month remaining, up to 24 | Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-4-.08 Renewal of License Checked November 1, 2026 |
| Alaska Alaska Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires November 30 of even-numbered years regardless of issue date (a license issued within 90 days of that date runs to the next biennial date); a renewal notice goes out at least 60 days before. A license not renewed by the deadline lapses the next day (12 AAC 44.315) | $200 biennial RN renewal (12 AAC 02.280); $100 prorated at the first renewal for a license first issued within 12 months of the expiration date (on or after December 1, 2025 for the 2026 renewal) Late: $100 penalty when a lapsed license is reinstated more than 60 days after lapsing, plus the $200 renewal fee (12 AAC 02.280, 44.317); after more than a year lapsed, a new fingerprint card and $75 fee | Two of three continuing-competency methods per period: 30 CE contact hours, 30 hours of uncompensated professional activities, or 320 hours of nursing employment (or an alternative under 12 AAC 44.640) | Alaska Statutes and Regulations: Nursing, 12 AAC 44.315-.319 and 44.600-.660 (rev. 9/28/2025) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Arizona Arizona State Board of Nursing | Every 4 years | On or before April 1 of the renewal year (A.R.S. 32-1642); renewals can be filed up to 6 months early or within 30 days after the due date; a late fee applies for work after May 2 and the license expires if not renewed by August 1 | $160 for an RN (every 4 years) Late: $50 per month worked after May 2 of the renewal year (more than 30 days past the April 1 due date), not to exceed $200, plus a Late / Invalid License Questionnaire | No continuing education required for RN renewal; instead 960 hours of nursing practice in the past 5 years (or graduation, an AZBN-approved refresher course, or an advanced nursing degree within 5 years) | AZBN - Renew your License Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Arkansas Arkansas State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | By the license expiration date on the staggered biennial birth-date cycle; the Nurse Portal renewal link opens 60 days before expiration. A license not renewed by the expiration date lapses (17 CAR 121-802) | $100 Late: $100 late renewal penalty plus the $100 renewal fee; reinstating also needs 20 contact hours (17 CAR 121-704(c)) | Each renewal period, one of: 15 practice-focused contact hours, a national certification or recertification, or an academic course in nursing or a related field (17 CAR 121-704) | ASBN Rules, 17 CAR Part 121 (CE 121-701 to 121-704; renewal 121-801 to 121-802) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| California California Board of Registered Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires at the end of the birth month every two years; the BRN says the first license is issued 'for two birthdays, not two years'; renew no earlier than 3 months before expiration; the BRN mails a courtesy notice about 3 months ahead | $190 for an active RN renewal Late: Delinquent renewal $280; eight-year renewal $350 | 30 contact hours every 2 years from BRN-recognized CE providers for active status; exempt for the first renewal after initial licensure except the implicit bias hour | BRN - License Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Colorado Colorado State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | September 30 of odd or even years, depending on the issue date; renewal opens about 4-5 weeks before (2026 cycle: expired 9/30/26, renewable through 11/30/26). Inactive and retired licenses must also be renewed each cycle | Not published | No continuing education hours are required to renew a Colorado RN license | Colorado Nursing FAQs (DPO; read live 2026-11-03) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Connecticut Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing | Every year | Expires in the first birth month after issuance and then every year in the birth month; renewal notice is emailed about 60 days before and a final notice 30 days after expiration. 90-day grace period after expiration, then the license is void on day 91 (CGS 19a-88) | $110 | 2 contact hours once every six years for nurses actively practicing in Connecticut | CT DPH - Registered Nurse Licensure (renewal fee $110) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Delaware Delaware Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires February 28, May 31 or September 30 of odd-numbered years, depending on original issue date (new licenses: September 30 of odd years); renew in DELPROS before expiration; late renewal allowed for two months after expiration | Not published Late: 50% of the renewal fee, in addition to the renewal fee, within two months after expiration; after that the license terminates and reinstatement ($272) is required | 30 contact hours per renewal period (prorated 0/15/30 at first renewal by issue date) plus a practice-hours attestation | Delaware Board of Nursing - License Renewal Checked November 1, 2026 |
| District of Columbia District of Columbia Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Licenses issued or renewed on or after June 16, 2024 expire on the last day of the birth month, in even years for even-year births and odd years for odd-year births (17 DCMR 5401.2); late renewal is allowed for up to 60 days after expiration | $145 renewal plus $50 criminal background check (name search), per the 2026 RN/APRN renewal notice and 17 DCMR 3500.1 Late: $85 late fee for renewing within 60 days after expiration; after that, reinstatement ($229 per 17 DCMR 3500.1) | 24 hours in the two years before expiration; none for the first renewal after initial licensure | DC Board of Nursing - 2026 RN/APRN Renewal Notice Checked November 1, 2026 |
| Florida Florida Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires at midnight Eastern in the nurse's renewal group (current cycles end April 30, 2027, April 30, 2028 or July 31, 2028); the Renew option appears about 90 days before expiration | $75 active to active (includes the $5 unlicensed activity fee and $5 Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness fee) Late: $130 active to active after expiration; $205 once notified delinquent (120 days); the license becomes null and void 2 years after expiration | 24 hours every 2 years: 16 general, 2 prevention of medical errors, 2 Florida laws and rules, 2 recognizing impairment in the workplace (every other renewal), 2 human trafficking; plus 2 hours domestic violence every third biennium and a one-time 1-hour HIV/AIDS course before the first renewal | Florida BON - Registered Nurse Renewal Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Georgia Georgia Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | RN licenses expire January 31 of even-numbered years (the 2026 renewal opened November 1, 2025 and closed January 31, 2026); late renewal February 1 to the last day of February; a license not renewed by then lapses and needs reinstatement | $65 Late: $75 late renewal fee (February 1 to 28), per the Board's fee schedule | One of five continuing-competency options each biennial period, reported in CE Broker (30 CE hours is the most common); not required at the first renewal if the first license period was 6 months or less | Georgia Board of Nursing - Renewal Information Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Hawaii Hawaii Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | All RN licenses expire June 30 of odd-numbered years (next: June 30, 2027) regardless of issue date; renewal opens about 60 days before | $196 active; $12 inactive Late: Late renewal / restoration within 2 years of forfeiture: $226 active ($42 inactive); after 2 years the nurse reapplies as a new applicant | One continuing-competency learning activity per biennium (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027), e.g. 30 contact hours of CE; current national certification exempts | Hawaii Board of Nursing (renewal and late renewal fees) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Idaho Idaho Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | New licenses issued since April 1, 2026 run at least two years and expire on the licensee's birthday; renew online up to 60 days before. Existing RN licenses still show August 31 of odd years until moved to the birthday cycle. | $70 RN license renewal application (Board of Nursing fee table) Late: A license not renewed by its expiration lapses and must be reinstated: Board fee table $102 reinstatement application (includes $37 fingerprints); Rule 400.02 (effective July 1, 2026) also lists a $35 reinstatement fee in addition to renewal fees | None for RNs: Idaho Code 54-1411 and IDAPA 24.34.01 set no CE hours or competence documentation for RN renewal (APRN peer review only) | Idaho Board of Nursing (DOPL) - fees, expiration dates and reinstatement FAQ Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Illinois Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Every Illinois RN license expires May 31 of each even-numbered year regardless of issue date (next: May 31, 2028); renewal is available during the month before expiration. Practicing on an expired license is unlicensed practice (68 IAC 1300.40) | $80 ($40 per year for the 2-year cycle, 68 IAC 1300.30(b)(2)) Late: Restoration: $50 plus all lapsed renewal fees, not to exceed $250 (68 IAC 1300.30(c)(1)) | 20 hours every 2-year cycle, completed in the 24 months before expiration; not required for the first renewal | 68 IAC 1300.40 Renewals Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Indiana Indiana State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Every RN license expires October 31 of odd-numbered years, regardless of issue date; renewal opens no later than 90 days before expiration and notices go by email | $50 (compact multistate license $25, renewed with the RN license) Late: $50 late fee ($100 total) if expired under 3 years; reinstatement $100 if expired 3+ years (needs an active license elsewhere or a Board appearance) | No CE required for RN renewal | Indiana PLA - Nursing Licensing Information (renewal, late fees, CE) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Iowa Iowa Board of Nursing | Every 3 years (first license 24-36 months) | Expires the 15th of the birth month; renew online up to 60 days before. Iowa law asks for renewal 30 days before expiration, but the Board imposes no penalty for missing that. A 30-day grace period runs to the 15th of the following month with a late fee; after that the license becomes inactive and must be reactivated | $99 for a three-year license Late: $50 late fee plus the $99 renewal fee ($149) if renewed after the 15th of the birth month through the 15th of the next month; after that, reactivation at $225 ($175 + $50 background check) with new fingerprints | 36 contact hours (3.6 CEUs) per renewal period, or an exemption | Iowa DIAL - Nursing License Renewals Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Kansas Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) | Every 2 years | Expires the last day of the birth month; nurses born in odd years renew in odd years and even in even years; a first expiration that would fall within 6 months of licensure moves to the birth month after the third birthday (K.A.R. 60-3-108). Online renewal opens 90 days before expiration; the Board mails a notice at least 60 days before (K.S.A. 65-1117) | $85 biennial renewal (K.A.R. 60-4-101) Late: No grace period or late fee: renewal must be filed on or before the expiration date (K.S.A. 65-1117(a)); a lapsed license must be reinstated ($150, 30 CNE hours within the preceding 2 years, K.A.R. 60-3-105) | 30 contact hours of approved continuing nursing education each renewal period | KSBN - RN/LPN/APRN Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Kentucky Kentucky Board of Nursing | Every year | Renew between September 15 and 11:59 p.m. EDT October 31 each year; a license not renewed by October 31 lapses | $65 (includes $5 statutory fees for the Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund and KARE) Late: A lapsed license must be reinstated ($135 reinstatement fee); working on a lapsed license is prohibited | 14 contact hours each year (November 1 to October 31), or an approved alternative such as a current national nursing certification | KBN - Renewal Checked October 12, 2026 |
| Louisiana Louisiana State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years (the first license is a calendar-year license) | Renew online October 1-December 31; licenses not renewed lapse at midnight January 31. A first license expires January 31 of the year after issue; later renewals are biennial | $100 (LAC 46:XLVII.3341) Late: $50 late fee plus the renewal fee for renewals after midnight December 31; after January 31 the license lapses and reinstatement ($100) applies | Each two-year period: 30 Board-approved contact hours, or 900 employer-verified practice hours, or current Board-recognized national certification; nurses first licensed in the previous calendar year are exempt | LSBN - Renewal FAQs Checked November 1, 2026 |
| Maine Maine State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | On or before the nurse's birthday every two years (32 M.R.S. §2206); the first license runs at least one year to the birthday. No grace period: the license lapses if not renewed by the birthday | $75 Late: No late window; a lapsed license is reinstated for $85 and the nurse may not practice until it is resolved (practicing on a lapsed license can bring a letter of concern or a $500 fine) | No CE hours for RN renewal: the nursing statute has none and the Board's rule chapters (1, 3-15, 21) include no RN CE chapter; only APRNs have a CE audit policy | Maine State Board of Nursing - License FAQs Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Maryland Maryland Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires the 28th day of the birth month every two years; licensees born in an odd year renew in odd years and those born in an even year in even years (COMAR 10.27.01.13); renewal opens up to 90 days before and the Board sends a notice at least 3 months ahead | $191 active RN ($165 renewal + $26 Maryland Health Care Commission fee, effective for licenses expiring after July 1, 2025); inactive $60 Late: None listed in COMAR 10.27.01.02 or the Board fee schedule (checked 2026-11-03) | Show one COMAR 10.27.01.13G item (alternatives, any one suffices): 1,000 hours of active nursing practice in the prior 5 years, completion of a Board-approved nursing program in that time, or 30 CEUs in the prior 2 years (college coursework counts 15 CEUs per semester hour, grade C or better); otherwise a Board-approved refresher or preceptorship | COMAR 10.27.01.13 Renewal of license Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Massachusetts Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires at 11:59 p.m. on the nurse's birthday in even-numbered years; renewal opens 90 days before expiration. A license issued within 3 months before that birthday runs to the following even-year birthday | $120 (RN with APRN authorization $180) Late: $57 late renewal fee in addition to the renewal fee | 15 contact hours earned within the 2 years before renewal (not required for the first renewal) | Mass.gov - Renew your nursing license Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Michigan Michigan Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | The initial license is valid for 2 years and each renewal for 2 years; LARA mails and emails a renewal notice about 90 business days before expiration | $131.00 ($161.40 with a nurse specialty certification) Late: $20 late fee to renew in the 60-day grace period after expiration; after that, relicensure ($232.90) | 25 hours in the 2 years before renewal, including at least 2 hours in pain and symptom management; no more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period | LARA - Nursing Licensing Guide and FAQs (renewal checklist) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Minnesota Minnesota Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Registration expires on the last day of the birth month, in even-numbered years for nurses born in an even year and odd-numbered years for those born in an odd year. The first period after licensure runs 6 to 29 months. | $85 Late: Practicing without current registration: twice the renewal fee for any part of the first month plus the renewal fee for each later month (up to 24 months); a lapsed registration requires reregistration ($105) | At least 1 contact hour of acceptable CE per month of registration (24 contact hours per 24-month period) | Minn. R. 6310.2600 - Definitions (registration period) Checked October 12, 2026 |
| Mississippi Mississippi Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | All RN licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years (Pt. 2810 R. 4.1); renew in the Gateway during the renewal period ending December 31 | $100 (active); $25 to renew as inactive (Pt. 2880 R. 1.1) Late: Late renewal 1 (January; the fee rule says January 1-31, the Applications page says January 1-30, so file by January 30): $100 + $50 administrative fee; late renewal 2 (February 1 - June 30): $100 + $150 administrative fee plus a $75 criminal background check before the license returns to active | No CE hours required to renew unless the nurse has not practiced in the last 5 years (then one continuing-competency option, e.g. 20 contact hours) | Mississippi Board of Nursing - Applications and Forms (RN renewal, late renewal) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Missouri Missouri State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | RN licenses expire April 30 of odd-numbered years (20 CSR 2200-4.010(1)(H)4); renewal opens February 1 of the odd year in MOPRO; the renewal and fee should reach the Board at least 3 business days before expiration (20 CSR 2200-4.020(8)(D)) | $85 biennial RN renewal (20 CSR 2200-4.010(1)(H)1, effective July 1, 2021; includes the $5/year education surcharge) Late: No late window: an expired license is lapsed; reinstatement adds $50 per year of lapse plus the renewal fee and a fingerprint check | No continuing-education hours required for RN renewal | 20 CSR 2200-4.010 Fees (renewal schedule) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Montana Montana Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | December 31 of odd-numbered years for 'odd' licensees or even-numbered years for 'even' licensees (Board RN page; ARM 24.101.413); renewals postmarked or submitted online after that date pay additional fees. A lapsed or expired license can be renewed with the late penalty for up to 2 years; after that it terminates (ARM 24.101.408) | $100 (ARM 24.159.401(5)) Late: Late penalty of 100% of the renewal fee ($100) (ARM 24.101.403; ARM 24.159.420(2)(c)) | No continuing-education hours required for RN renewal | Montana Board of Nursing - RN license information (renewal period and fee) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Nebraska Nebraska Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires October 31 of even-numbered years (next: October 31, 2028); paper renewals must be postmarked by October 31 | $123 (active status, 2026 RN renewal application) Late: $158 reinstatement fee for a lapsed RN license ($65.75 if reinstated May-October of an even-numbered year); there is no separate late-renewal fee | One continued-competency option per renewal: 500 practice hours in 5 years plus 20 contact hours in 2 years, graduated 2-5 years ago plus 20 contact hours, graduated within 2 years, first licensed within the cycle, a refresher course within 5 years, current national nursing specialty certification, or a competency portfolio | Nebraska DHHS - RN Renewal Application (2026) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Nevada Nevada State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | The original license runs to the nurse's second birthday after issuance, then expires biennially on the birthday (NAC 632.192(5)); the renewal must be received by the end of the business day it expires, and can be filed up to 60 days before. The Board sends no renewal notices and there is no grace period | $100 Late: $100 late fee in addition to the $100 renewal fee if submitted after the expiration date | 30 contact hours per renewal period, including 4 hours of cultural competency, diversity, equity and inclusion | NSBN - RN/LPN Renewal FAQ (rev. 2/24) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| New Hampshire New Hampshire Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Licenses issued since July 15, 2023 expire two years from the date of issuance (RSA 310:8; OPLC FAQ); renewal notices with the registration code are emailed twice before expiration | $116 (OPLC fee page; includes the mandatory $28 Professionals Health Program fee) | 30 contact hours every two years (Nur 403.01); current national certification may count | OPLC - Checklist for License Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| New Jersey New Jersey Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Licenses expire May 31 at the end of the biennial period; renewal is allowed up to 30 days late with a late fee, after which the license is administratively suspended (N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.2) | $125 active ($120 biennial renewal + $5 Alternative to Discipline surcharge); $60 inactive Late: $50 late fee for renewal 1-30 days after expiration; after that, reinstatement ($100 reinstatement fee plus past-due renewal fees and surcharges) | 30 contact hours each biennial period, including 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs | N.J.A.C. 13:37-5.2 Biennial license renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| New Mexico New Mexico Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Due by the end of the renewal (birth) month every two years, with no grace period (an unrenewed license lapses); renewal may be submitted up to 60 days before expiration, and the Board emails reminders 60 and 30 days before expiration (16.12.2.9(Q) NMAC; RN page). The first license runs to the birth month after its first anniversary | $110, plus $50 for a Multistate Compact License from June 1, 2026; $0 first renewal for military members, spouses, dependents and veterans Late: Late renewal, lapsed or reactivation: $200 total, which includes the renewal fee (16.12.2.8(C) NMAC); a license lapsed more than 90 days also needs a new background check, and the Expired/Lapsed Attestation is uploaded with the application | 30 contact hours of approved CE in the 24 months before expiration, or a current national nursing specialty certification instead | 16.12.2 NMAC - Nurse Licensure (renewal, CE, fees) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| New York New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions - Registered Professional Nursing | Every 3 years | The license is lifelong; the registration must be renewed every 3 years to practice. The first registration runs 3 years, the second is shortened and prorated to line up with the birth month. Online renewal opens in the last 5 months of the registration period (up to 4 months after it expires). | $73 (includes the $15 Nurse Fund fee) | No general continuing-education hours for RNs; NYSED-approved infection control coursework every 4 years, attested at each registration, and the mandated child abuse curriculum updates | NYSED OP - Online Registration Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| North Carolina North Carolina Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires at midnight on the last day of the birth month; renew online within the 90 days before expiration. Initial licenses run 13 to 24 months to align with the birth month | $100 for an RN (two-year period) Late: No late renewal: an expired license must be reinstated ($180 reinstatement and renewal fee; a fingerprint background check if lapsed 6 months or more) | One of eight continuing-competence options each cycle, e.g. 30 contact hours; 15 contact hours plus 640 hours of active practice; national certification or recertification; a Board-approved refresher course; or 2 semester hours of post-licensure nursing education | NCBON - RN/LPN Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| North Dakota North Dakota Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Licenses are valid two calendar years and expire December 31; an initial license expires December 31 of the following year (N.D.A.C. 54-02-05-02). Renewal in January after expiration is late. | $140 (N.D.A.C. 54-02-05-03; $130 renewal + $10 to the Nursing Education Scholarship) Late: $280 late renewal ($140 renewal + $140 administrative processing fee), only in January and only if no practice occurred after the 12/31 expiration; after January 31 the license must be reactivated for $220 ($50 reactivation + $140 renewal + $30 CHRC processing fee) with a new criminal history record check | 12 contact hours every 2 years plus 400 practice hours in the past 4 years | N.D.A.C. chapter 54-02-05 Relicensure Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Ohio Ohio Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | RN licenses expire October 31 of each odd-numbered year; renewal opens July 1 and the regular fee applies through September 15 | $65 single-state (July 1 to September 15, odd years); multistate renewal $75; plus the $3.50 state transaction fee Late: $115 total for single-state renewals September 16 to October 31; after October 31 the license lapses and needs reinstatement ($100 outside renewal season, $165 to $215 during it) | 24 contact hours each renewal including at least 1 hour of Category A (Ohio law and rules); none for the first renewal after licensure by NCLEX; 12 hours (including 1 Category A) for the first renewal after endorsement if licensed in Ohio 1 year or less | OBN - Renewal Schedule Checked October 17, 2026 |
| Oklahoma Oklahoma Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | RN licenses expire the last day of the licensee's birth month in even-numbered years; renew online in the Nurse Portal before expiration | $75 biennial single-state RN renewal (OAC 485:10-1-3); $125 biennial multistate renewal (59 O.S. 567.7.E) Late: No published grace period or late fee: a lapsed license must be reinstated at the renewal fee + $40 (single-state reinstatement application $115; multistate reinstatement application $150) | Continued qualifications in the 2 years before expiration: one of 520 hours of nursing employment, 24 contact hours of CE, current specialty certification, a refresher course, or 6 semester hours of nursing coursework | OAC 485:10-1-3 Fees Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Oregon Oregon State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Valid two years from the issue date; renewal is on time if submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date. A license expired more than 90 days must be reinstated (OAR 851-031-0048) | $262 for an RN ($245 renewal + $9 Oregon Nursing Advancement Fund + $8 Workforce Data Analysis Fund surcharge) Late: $100 delinquent fee; more than 90 days expired requires reinstatement ($260 RN reinstatement fee, fingerprints and CE per OAR 851-031-0051) | 1 hour pain management every 36 months and 2 hours cultural competency within 48 months (every other renewal); from January 1, 2028, also 20 hours of CE in the prior two years | OAR 851 Division 31 - 851-031-0048 Renewal of License, 851-031-0008 CE Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires April 30 or October 31 of an even- or odd-numbered year as assigned (49 Pa. Code § 21.29); renewal opens about 30-60 days before and must be completed before the expiration date | $122 Late: No late fee is published; a license not renewed by the deadline needs a reactivation application ($130 if lapsed or inactive 5 years or longer, 49 Pa. Code § 21.5) | 30 hours every 2 years, including 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting; 2 of the 30 hours in organ and tissue donation CE once within 5 years | PA State Board of Nursing - Renewal Information Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Rhode Island Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education | Every 2 years | Licenses expire March 1 every other year after issuance (216-RICR-40-05-3 section 3.4); renewal notices go out about 60 days before and the renewal and fee are due before February 15 | $135 RN renewal (216-RICR-10-05-2, amended 3/25/2026) plus the $4 online processing fee | 10 hours every 2 years, 2 of them on substance abuse | RIDOH Nurses page (renewal notices, CE) Checked November 1, 2026 |
| South Carolina South Carolina Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | All RN licenses expire April 30 of even-numbered years; online renewal opens February 1 of the renewal year (next window 2/1/2028 to 4/30/2028) | $75 Late: No late fee: a renewal after April 30 is a reinstatement ($135 lapsed under 5 years, $145 for 5 years or more) with proof of competency; online access ends May 31, then a paper reinstatement application and a new background check are required | No fixed CE hours: show one continued-competency option per 2-year period (30 contact hours of CE is one option) | SC Board of Nursing - Renewal information Checked November 3, 2026 |
| South Dakota South Dakota Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires on the licensee's birth date in the second calendar year after issuance, then every two years on the birth date (ARSD 20:48:03:10, amended August 3, 2026); the Board sends notice at least 90 days before expiration (SDCL 36-9-45) | $115 ($95 renewal + $10 nursing scholarship fund + $10 nursing workforce center, ARSD 20:48:06:01) Late: No grace period or late fee: a renewal delivered or postmarked after the deadline is refused and the license lapses on the expiration date; reinstatement through the Nurse Portal is $50 plus the $115 renewal fee (ARSD 20:48:03:09 and 20:48:06:01) | No CE hours; RNs must show at least 140 nursing practice hours in any 12 months (or 480 hours) within the preceding 6 years, or complete a refresher course | ARSD 20:48:06:01 Registered nurse fees Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Tennessee Tennessee Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Due the last day of the birth month every two years (Rule 1000-01-.05(1)); online renewal opens 60 days before expiration and renewal notices go out 45 days before. No renewal is accepted after the last day of the month following expiration (Rule 1200-10-01-.10) | $140 ($130 renewal + $10 biennial state regulatory fee, Rule 1000-01-.02 effective April 8, 2026) Late: No late fee in Rule 1000-01-.02. After the renewal window closes the license lapses and must be reinstated in LARS: Rule 1000-01-.05(8) requires the Reinstatement ($100) and State Regulatory ($10) fees plus a new fingerprint background check. The Board's outdated fee schedule billed reinstatement as $200 'including renewal & reg fee', so the Board may also collect the current renewal fee (to confirm) | No set CE hours: keep two continued-competence items per renewal period from Rule 1000-01-.18 (10 contact hours of CE is one option) and the records for 4 years | Rules of the Tennessee Board of Nursing, Chapter 1000-01 (April 2026) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Texas Texas Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Renews in the birth month: even-numbered years if born in an even year, odd-numbered years if born in an odd year (the first license runs 6 to 29 months to line up, 22 TAC §217.5(f)); the license expires at the end of the birth month (TXBON licensure FAQ); the timely renewal opens the first day of the month before the expiration month and closes on the expiration date | $68 for an RN (each biennium) Late: Delinquent: $60 plus the renewal fee if expired 90 days or less, $120 plus the renewal fee if more than 90 days; delinquent 4+ years follows 22 TAC §217.6 | 20 contact hours of CNE or a Board-approved national certification in the area of practice each two-year period, plus targeted CE; CE is entered in the Texas Nurse Portal CE Module before renewing (from September 1, 2026); waived for a timely first renewal | TXBON - Licensure Renewal Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Utah Utah Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Every Utah RN license expires January 31 of odd-numbered years (R156-1-308a); DOPL mails a renewal notice at least 60 days before | $68 (DOPL fee schedule, Registered Nurse renewal) Late: Expired less than 2 years: renew online or on paper and pay a reinstatement fee on top of the $68 renewal fee: $20 (late renewal) if expired 30 days or less, $50 (reinstatement) if expired 31 days to 2 years. Expired more than 2 years: new application | Continuing competency in the 2 years before renewal: 400 hours of licensed practice, or 200 hours plus 15 contact hours of approved CE, or 30 contact hours of approved CE (R156-31b-303(3)(a)) | Utah DOPL - Renew an RN or LPN License Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Vermont Vermont State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years (fixed biennial period) | March 31 of odd-numbered years (next March 31, 2027); the license expires if not renewed by midnight on that date (Rule 4-3; OPR fee and dates chart) | $220 (OPR fee chart; 26 V.S.A. 1577) Late: Reinstatement penalty under 3 V.S.A. 127(d)(1): $100 if within 30 days of expiration; after that, the renewal fee plus $40 for each additional month or part, capped at $1,500; relief may be petitioned for exceptional circumstances (Rule 4-9) | No fixed CE hours: meet one of 400 practice hours in 2 years (or 960 in 5), 20 qualifying CE hours in 2 years, a current national certification, or completion of a nursing or re-entry program in the last 5 years | Administrative Rules of the Board of Nursing, Code Vt. R. 04-030-170 (Rules 4-3 to 4-10) Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Virginia Virginia Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | By the last day of the birth month in even-numbered years (born in an even year) or odd-numbered years (born in an odd year); the license lapses automatically if not renewed (18VAC90-19-150) | $140 (active RN, multistate or single-state); $70 inactive Late: $50 late renewal ($25 inactive); a lapsed license needs reinstatement ($225) | One of nine continued-competency options each renewal, e.g. 30 contact hours, 15 contact hours plus 640 hours of practice, a national specialty certification or 3 academic credit hours; the first renewal after initial licensure is exempt | 18VAC90-19-150 Renewal of licenses Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Washington Washington State Board of Nursing | Every year | Due annually on the nurse's birthday; HELMS emails a renewal reminder about 90 days before (no mailed cards). The first license expires on the next birthday (or the following one if issued within 90 days of it) | $138 single-state RN ($114 + $16 HEAL-WA + $8 Washington Center for Nursing); $158 multistate RN Late: $188 single-state / $208 multistate if less than 1 year late; after 1 year, reactivation $258 / $278 | 8 CE hours (including 2 hours of health equity) and 96 practice hours in the 12 months before each renewal, plus a one-time 6-hour suicide prevention training | WABON - Renew or Reactivate a License Checked November 3, 2026 |
| West Virginia West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses | Every 2 years (even-numbered years) | Renewal window May 1 - June 30 of even-numbered years (next: 2028); the license lapses immediately if not renewed by June 30 | $90 biennial RN renewal ($20 funds Nurse Health Programs; waived for nurses with an active WV APRN license) Late: No late renewal; a lapsed license must be reinstated in the Nurse Portal ($115) | 12 contact hours from a Board-approved provider per renewal cycle, tracked in CE Broker | WV RN Board - Renewals Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Wisconsin Wisconsin Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | Expires the last day of February in even-numbered years; online renewal opens about 4 weeks before expiration | $73 Late: $25 late fee if renewed after the expiration date; expired 5+ years uses the 'Renewal After 5 Years' method | No continuing education required for Wisconsin RNs | Wisconsin DSPS - Registered Nurse (RN) credential page Checked November 3, 2026 |
| Wyoming Wyoming State Board of Nursing | Every 2 years | All licenses expire December 31 of even-numbered years; renewal applications open on or before October 1 of the renewal year (Rule Ch. 2 Secs. 8-9). A license first issued in an even year must also be renewed that year. | $110 RN renewal (Rule Ch. 5 Sec. 4(f)); waived for renewals from October 1 through December 31, 2026 Late: No late-renewal grace period: an unrenewed license expires and the nurse must apply for relicensure ($135, Rule Ch. 5 Sec. 4(j)(ii)) with new fingerprint cards and evidence of competency | No fixed CE hours: show one competency option in the past 2 years (400 practice hours, passing the NCLEX, a refresher course, an advanced nursing degree, or 40 CE hours) | Wyoming Board of Nursing Rules Chapter 2 (renewal, failure to renew, competency) Checked November 3, 2026 |
Questions
How often do registered nurses have to renew their license?
It depends on the state. Of the 51 jurisdictions in this table, 45 every 2 years, 3 every year, 2 every 3 years, 1 on another schedule (for example tied to a birth date or a fixed date range). These are the cycles each board publishes (verified between October 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026); confirm with the board before renewing.
How many CE hours does a registered nurse need to renew?
30 of 51 boards state a CE hour total. The CE period doesn't always match the license cycle, so compare each board's own wording. The highest stated totals are Iowa (36 contact hours (3.6 CEUs) per renewal period, or an exemption); California (30 contact hours every 2 years from BRN-recognized CE providers for active status; exempt for the first renewal after initial licensure except the implicit bias hour); Delaware (30 contact hours per renewal period (prorated 0/15/30 at first renewal by issue date) plus a practice-hours attestation). 2 boards list no CE hour requirement. See the table for every state.
Can a registered nurse hold licenses in more than one state?
Yes. Each state issues and renews its own license on its own cycle, fee and CE rules, so a registered nurse licensed in several states has several renewal dates to track. Rivon Health tracks every license and its expiration date and alerts the team before each one is due.
Where does this renewal data come from?
Each row is taken from the licensing board's own published pages, linked in the Source column with the date we last checked it (between October 12, 2026 and November 3, 2026). Boards change fees and rules, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the board before renewing.
Next step
Never miss a renewal date.
Rivon Health tracks every license, DEA registration and certification across states and alerts your team before anything expires. Free up to 6 providers, or have our specialists file the renewals.
Free up to 6 providers · No charge until provider 7